Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Aduane mmɔwe a asomdwoeɛ wɔ ho yɛ sene efie a apontoɔ ahyɛ no ma a nso basabasayɛ wɔ mu.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
Ɔsomfoɔ nyansafoɔ bɛdi ɔba nimguasefoɔ so, na ɔbɛnya ne kyɛfa wɔ agyapadeɛ no mu sɛ anuanom no mu baako.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
Kyɛmferɛ wɔ hɔ ma dwetɛ na fononoo wɔ hɔ ma sikakɔkɔɔ nanso Awurade na ɔsɔ akoma hwɛ.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Omumuyɛfoɔ tie nsusuiɛ bɔne; ɔtorofoɔ yɛ aso ma adwen bɔne tɛkrɛma.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Deɛ ɔdi ahiafoɔ ho fɛ no bu wɔn Yɛfoɔ animtiaa; na deɛ ɔfoa amanehunu soɔ no bɛnya asotwe.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
Mmanananom yɛ mmasiriwa animuonyam, na awofoɔ yɛ wɔn mma ahohoahoa.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Anokrokro nyɛ mma ɔkwasea, saa ara na ano a ɛdi torɔ mfata ɔhene.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Kɛtɛasehyɛ daadaa deɛ ɔma; ɔgye sɛ ɛbɛma no nkonim.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Deɛ ɔbu nʼani gu mfomsoɔ so no ma ɔdɔ ɛkwan, na deɛ ɔbɔ soɔ no tete nnamfonom ntam.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
Nkaanim sɔ onipa a ɔwɔ nhunumu ani sene mmaa ɔha a wɔbɔ ɔkwasea.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Onipa bɔnefoɔ ani wɔ atuateɛ nko ara so na wɔbɛsoma odwumayɛfoɔ tirimuɔdenfoɔ akɔ ne so.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Ɛyɛ sɛ wobɛhyia sisire a wɔawia ne mma sene ɔkwasea a ɔregyimie.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Sɛ obi de bɔne tua papa so ka a, bɔne rempa ne fie da.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Ntɔkwa ahyɛaseɛ te sɛ deɛ wɔretue suka; enti gyae ma ɛnka na ankɔfa ɔham amma.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Sɛ wɔbɛgyaa deɛ ɔdi fɔ ne sɛ wɔbɛbu deɛ ɔdi bem kumfɔ no, Awurade kyiri ne mmienu.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Sika a ɛwɔ ɔkwasea nsam ho nni mfasoɔ, ɛfiri sɛ ɔnni botaeɛ biara sɛ ɔbɛhunu nyansa.
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Adamfo kyerɛ ɔdɔ ɛberɛ nyinaa mu, wɔwo onua barima ma ahokyere berɛ.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
Obi a ɔnni adwene no na ɔde ne nsa hyɛ krataa ase di akagyinamu nam so de si awowa ma ne yɔnko.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Deɛ ɔpɛ ntɔkwa no dɔ bɔne; deɛ ɔsi ɛpono tentene no frɛfrɛ ɔsɛeɛ.
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
Onipa a ɔwɔ akoma kontonkyi no nnya nkɔsoɔ; deɛ ne tɛkrɛma daadaa no tɔ amaneɛ mu.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Deɛ ɔwo ɔba kwasea no di awerɛhoɔ; ɔba kwasea agya nni anigyeɛ.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Akoma mu anigyeɛ yɛ aduro ɛsa yadeɛ, nanso honhom a apɛkyɛ no wewe nnompe.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
Omumuyɛfoɔ gye adanmudeɛ wɔ esum ase de kyea atɛntenenee.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Onipa a ɔwɔ nhunumu no ani kɔ nyansa so, na ɔkwasea toto nʼani kɔsi asase ano.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Ɔba kwasea hyɛ nʼagya awerɛhoɔ, na ɔma deɛ ɔnyinsɛnee no no di yea.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Ɛnyɛ sɛ wɔtwe deɛ ɔdi bem aso, anaasɛ wɔtwa adwumayɛfoɔ mmaa wɔ wɔn nokorɛdie enti.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Ɔnimdefoɔ dwene nʼanom kasa ho, na deɛ ɔwɔ nhunumu no wɔ abodwoɔ.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Mpo sɛ ɔkwasea yɛ dinn a wɔbu no sɛ ɔnyansafoɔ, na sɛ ɔmua nʼano a wɔbu no sɛ ɔwɔ nhunumu.
